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Theatre

Two of history's most famous lovers are caught between their consummate love for one another and the struggles for power among the rulers of the Roman world. At the time of this play, Mark Antony, Octavius Caesar and M. Aemilius Lepidus are the members of the triumvirate that rule the Roman world. Mark Antony is consumed with his love for Cleopatra, the Queen of Egypt and spends much time with her to the exclusion of his duties as a Roman ruler. When rebellions rise against the triumvirate, Anthony returns to Rome to join the defense. In time, Antony returns to Cleopatra in Egypt. In a quest for sole power, Caesar follows and wages a fierce battle against him. Upon hearing a false report of Cleopatra's death, Antony falls on his sword. Cleopatra chooses to die from the bite of an asp rather than befall the fate of returning to Rome as Caesars prize.

The renowned story of mistaken love, familial deceit and murder. King Lear , the aging King of Britain, has chosen to lay aside the care of the kingship and divide his kingdom between his three daughters, Goneril, Regan and Cordelia. Goneril and Regan speak before the court with expressions of love while Cordelia says she can find nothing to say. For this lack of display, she is disinherited. It later becomes evident that her love is shown in her actions, not mere words. After relinquishing his throne, Lear becomes the object of ridicule, slights and harsh treatment by the two daughters who had professed their great love. Treacher, murder and deceit ensue and Lear and Cordelia are captured and sentenced to death. Cordelia is hanged and Lear, bearing her onstage dead in his arms, collapses and dies of grief.

The tragedy of a self-centered weak King whose evil ways cause his own destruction. Richard II , a history based partially on The Chronicles by English historian Raphael Holinshed, is the saga of King Richard and his self-defeat. The King not only has enemies to fend off in Ireland but makes an enemy of Bolingbroke, his own cousin, by seizing his property. Bolingbroke, along with an army of discontented English noblemen, rebel and triumph over Richard. Richard surrenders his crown and is immediately imprisoned. Bolingbroke is crowned Henry IV and through a misunderstanding, Richard is murdered in prison.

Featuring David Birney, Paul Shenar, John Devlin and William H. Bassett.

The Tragedy of a King is so blinded by ambition and paranoia that he senselessly murders those in this path eventually leading to his own demise. Macbeth and Banquo, victorious generals in the army of Duncan, King of Scotland, encounter three prophesying witches on their journey home from battle. Macbeth's ambitions are kindled by the witches prediction that he will someday be King. In an effort to hasten the prophecy, he and Lady Macbeth plot the murders of those in the way. Under the strain of the heinous crimes, Lady Macbeth dies and Macbeth edges toward insanity. Macduff organizes a force to overthrow Macbeth. In the tragic climax, the two duel, Macbeth is killed and King Duncans eldest son, Malcolm, becomes King.

Shakespeare's tragic story of young love thwarted by a family feud. Two rival Veronese families, the Montagues and the Capulets, are warned that their constant brawls must end and that death threatens anyone who disturbs the peace. Romeo the Montague heir attends a masquerade dance at the home of the Capulets, Romeo and Juliet, the Capulets daughter meet and fall immediately in love. They arrange to be married in secret by Friar Laurence the next day. Romeo becomes embroiled in a fierce duel with Tybalt, a Capulet and now a cousin by marriage. He kills Tybalt and is banished from Verona. Juliets father insists she marry. To help her avoid the impending marriage, Friar Laurence gives Juliet a potion that makes her appear dead. Romeo, believing that Juliet is dead, drinks a poison and dies by her side. When she revives and sees Romeo dead, she stabs herself. Only after the double tragedy are the families reconciled.

One of Shakespeare's most popular plays, The Taming of the Shrew examines the comedy of courtship of a beautiful but sharp-tempered women and her persistent suitor. The story centers on two sisters and their suitors. Katherina, the eldest daughter is very beautiful but sharp-tongued that no man showed interest. Bianca is sought by many men but cannot marry until the elder Katherina is wed. A swaggering young adventurer, Petruchio appears seeking a wife and is smitten with Katherina. The stormy courtship of Katherina and Petruchio unfolds as a battle of wits, wills and words. She obeys her fathers wish and marries Petruchio and he begins the task of taming his shrew.

Shakespeare's classic tale of the fantasy world of spirits, sorcery, monsters, maidens and shipwrecked scheming noblemen is brought to life. Feuding noblemen, embroiled in a world of spirits and sorcery, are forced to come to terms with their past when their children meet by chance and fall in love. A tempest of wind and rain, raised by the magician Prospero, shipwrecks Alonso, King of Naples and his shipboard companions including Duke Antonio of Milan. They are marooned on an enchanted and spirit filled island where each party believes that they are the only survivors. Prospero brings King Alonso, Duke Antonio and court attendants safely ashore. Unbeknown to the rest of the castaways, Ferdinand, the Kings son, arrives separately and meets Miranda, Prosperos daughter. The two fall in love. The missing Ferdinand is assumed drowned. Alonso repents of his past deeds, believing Ferdinand's death was punishment for his own wrong-doing. Prospero, convinced that his false brother and the King have reformed, reveals himself as the wronged, but genuine Duke of Milan. The rejoicing group celebrates with the wedding of Ferdinand and Miranda.

Shakespeare's keen understanding of jealousy in love results in perhaps his greatest triumph as a stage play, and his prime example of the tragic hero Othello .

Othello , a noble Moor has in his command lago, a lieutenant who is insanely jealous of Othellos success and higher rank. Othello elopes with his lover, Desdemona. At every turn Lago plots to exploit Othello, undermine his trust in Desdemona and deceive Othello into an all-consuming jealousy. Lagos successful conniving results in Othello smothering Desdemona in her bed-chamber. The story of Lagos diabolical treachery is revealed to Othello only after the murder. Othello wounds Lago in a vengeful fight, then kills himself. Featuring William Marshal, Ron Moody and Jenny Agutter.

Since its 1995 premier, Songs of the Wanderers , has gripped the imaginations of audience world-wide. It is the signature of the Lin Hwai-min's Cloud Gate Dance Theatre, Asia's leading contemporary dance company, and is possessed of a powerful meditative beauty.

Performed to Georgian folk songs, the choreography blends East and West dance styles and demands absolute focus and control from the dancers who, at times, appear to be have been transformed from human beings into body sculptures. The evocation of a quest for spiritual enlightenment through the experience and suffering is finely-wrought in imagery both abstract and literal. The passing of time sees to transcend normal boundaries. A monk-like figure stands motionless throughout, a steady stream of rice grains falling on his shaven head: an immovable living hour-glass. It is just one of the many ways in which Lin Hwai-min uses three tons of golden rice to striking effect. At first it is a river snaking in a neat heal across the stage, then it is a desert through which the pilgrims toil, later it falls as a dazzling rain as the dancers whirl in exultation. Finally, it is the task of one man to painstakingly rake the rice into a perpetual spiral.

Director Michal Zadara and actor Barbara Wysocka of CENTRALA (Warsaw, Poland) replace the piano parts of Frederic Chopin's Piano Concertos in E Minor and F Minor with a riveting dramatic monologue. Climbing on top of the piano, Wysocka explores cultural, political, and philosophical tensions of the composer's time that feel strikingly contemporary. Her highly physical virtuoso performance is accompanied by the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia and led by Warsaw National Opera's rising young talent, conductor Bassem Akiki.

Artfully weaving together fragments of Chopin's letters and music criticism from some of the finest writers and thinkers of our age, Chopin Without Piano captures the composer as a dynamic living presence within the full force of his music. It challenges us to think more deeply about the sustaining value of Chopin's music, the tradition of live classical performance, and culture in the broadest sense.